Hendrik Adriaan van Rheede was the governor of Cochin from 1670 and
1677 when Cochin was a Dutch Colony. He undertook an effort to write a
treatise called Hortus Malabaricus meaning the “Garden of Malabar”, on
the medicinal plants of Kerala.
The book was written in Latin, and also used Malayalam, Sanskrit and
Arabic. Apart from its importance in having information about plants
of Kerala, it also has historical importance as it has references to
the rivalrly between the European powers in the region.
“After 325 years, seminal treatise bears new fruit”:http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/EE08Df01.html
bq. Hortus Malabaricus is many things to many people depending on their background and interest. Professor K S Manilal, who labored 30 years to bring out the English version, complete with annotations and modern botanical nomenclature, said the volumes were important to people of Kerala because they represented the earliest example of printing in the Malayalam language, now spoken by at least 30 million literate people.
After 325 years, the English version of this book has come out.
Hortus Malabaricus
Published
Sir, Appropose to the above comments: A portion of the economy may be NRI based, but not full. The inflow had since been dried. We are only specialised in Bundhs, now a days. Between 14 Feb-13 May 2003, there were 12 days of force-majure due to strikes in Cochin. The tpt minster had opined on 10th Aug, that during the first 9 days of this month, there were 3 days of strike and the loss to the KSRTC alone is 4 lakhs! However, there is no other country as vibrant and beautiful as Gods own country !
Dear Sir,
I would like to buy the book ” MALABARICOUS ” which is published rececntly in English language.
Please advise me where I can find the same.
Your urgent reply would be highly appreciated.
thanks n best regards
hakeem